Heavy snowfall on the heights of Jebel Al Lawz in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. SPA
Heavy snowfall on the heights of Jebel Al Lawz in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. SPA
The cold weather made for a perfect opportunity to build a snowman on Jebel Jais. The mercury hit -0.1 °C in January 2020, leaving the UAE's highest peak under a blanket of snow. Courtesy: Ahmed Al Bedwawi
The cold weather made for a perfect opportunity to build a snowman on Jebel Jais. The mercury hit -0.1 °C in January 2020, leaving the UAE's highest peak under a blanket of snow. Courtesy: Ahmed Al Bedwawi
Snow falls in Ras Al Khaimah on January 25, 2009. Courtesy Mike Charlton
Snow falls in Ras Al Khaimah on January 25, 2009. Courtesy Mike Charlton
Snowfall on Jebel Jais mountain in Ras al Khaimah in January and December, 2017. Courtesy: Mike Charlton
Snowfall on Jebel Jais mountain in Ras al Khaimah in January and December, 2017. Courtesy: Mike Charlton
Snow blankets cars in January 2020 in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. SPA
Snow blankets cars in January 2020 in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. SPA
Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, is turned into a winder wonderland by a snow blizzard, in January 2020. SPA
Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, is turned into a winder wonderland by a snow blizzard, in January 2020. SPA
Saudis walk over snow after a heavy snowstorm in the desert near Tabuk, northwest of Riyadh in February 2015. Reuters
Saudis walk over snow after a heavy snowstorm in the desert near Tabuk, northwest of Riyadh in February 2015. Reuters
People play with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman in January 2015. Reuters
People play with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman in January 2015. Reuters
A Syrian man clears snow off his tent at a refugee camp in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa valley on January 16, 2019. AFP
A Syrian man clears snow off his tent at a refugee camp in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa valley on January 16, 2019. AFP
A Syrian man tries to warm himself as snow falls in the Terbol tented settlement in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, on 11 December 2013. UNHCR
A Syrian man tries to warm himself as snow falls in the Terbol tented settlement in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, on 11 December 2013. UNHCR
Syrian refugees play with snow during a winter storm in Zahle, in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Reuters
Syrian refugees play with snow during a winter storm in Zahle, in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Reuters
A Palestinian man cleans snow from his car in the West Bank city of Ramallah in December 2013 after a snowstorm. Reuters
A Palestinian man cleans snow from his car in the West Bank city of Ramallah in December 2013 after a snowstorm. Reuters
Palestinians walk on snow in the West Bank town of Nablus in December 2013. AP
Palestinians walk on snow in the West Bank town of Nablus in December 2013. AP
Palestinians play with snow outside the Al Aqsa mosque compound in the old city of Jerusalem in January 2013. AFP
Palestinians play with snow outside the Al Aqsa mosque compound in the old city of Jerusalem in January 2013. AFP
A boy makes a print of his hand on a car windscreen covered with snow before clearing it, during stormy weather in the Druze village of Majdal Shams on the Golan Heights in January 2013. Reuters
A boy makes a print of his hand on a car windscreen covered with snow before clearing it, during stormy weather in the Druze village of Majdal Shams on the Golan Heights in January 2013. Reuters

Environment

Ice in the desert: does it snow in the Middle East?

Although the Middle East is known for its sunshine, the region faced many harsh winters over the years

Chris Maxwell
Chris Maxwell
UAE

February 07, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

As the adage goes, there are only two types of weather to be found in the Middle East – hot and even hotter.

But although much of the region is blessed with year-round sunshine – with temperatures regularly soaring beyond 40°C – there are plenty of examples to pour cold water, and even a flurry of snow, on this ill-founded theory.

Does it ever snow in the Middle East?

While the region is known for its hot weather, snow is not unusual in some areas. For example, the snow-capped slopes of Lebanon's Mzaar and Iran's Shemshak ski resorts are famed.

But an icy snap in the deserts of the Gulf, where temperatures plunged to a bone-chilling minus 5°C near Al Ain on January 11, is much less usual. Residents even had to scrape ice from cars and icicles formed on trees and plants.

Even more unusual was the sight of camels crossing snow-covered desert sands in Saudi Arabia in 2020.

Historically, the Middle East has faced some severe snow storms, including brutal blizzards that devastated Iran in 1972.

Here, The National takes a glimpse at the times when the Middle East faced bleak winters - and look at why residents can sometimes find themselves caught in the snow.

Snow in Saudi Arabia

We all know camels are far more comfortable ambling over hot sands, but a herd of the beloved creatures were forced to dash over a thin layer of snow in Saudi Arabia in November 2020.

In the sand dunes near Ash Shuqayq, in the north of Saudi Arabia, Khalid Al Hawawi captured the unusual sight of a herd of camels galloping over a thin layer of snow on video.

Mr Al Hawawi said he enjoys filming in inclement weather, and is used to rain occurring in the area.

The slow motion footage, including a baby camel, was a hit online.

Snow on UAE's Jebel Jais 

The UAE's highest mountain, Jebel Jais, is the place to be for those keen on some diverse weather.

In January 2020, the formidable peak was blanketed in snow during a spell of particularly cold weather.

Travel enthusiasts build a snowman on Jebel Jais. The mercury hit -0.1 °C in January 2020, leaving the UAE's highest peak under a blanket of snow. Courtesy: Ahmed Al Bedwawi
Travel enthusiasts build a snowman on Jebel Jais. The mercury hit -0.1 °C in January 2020, leaving the UAE's highest peak under a blanket of snow. Courtesy: Ahmed Al Bedwawi

Ski slopes in Lebanon

You may not associate the traditional winter sport with the Middle East, but Lebanon is home to the region's largest ski resort.

Mzaar Ski Resort boasts 80 kilometres of ski tracks, with its three peaks ranging from 1,850 metres to 2,465m. There are also 18 ski lifts.

Skiers ride a lift at the Mzaar Ski Resort, one hour from Beirut, Lebanon. Getty Images
Skiers ride a lift at the Mzaar Ski Resort, one hour from Beirut, Lebanon. Getty Images

Authentic Lebanese food and a heated indoor pool with snow-covered views make it a great place to unwind after a day on the slopes.

The 1972 blizzards in Iran

In February, 1972 Iran was devastated by a series of brutal blizzards as temperatures fell to at least minus 13°.

About 4,000 people are believed to have died during the week-long storms as deep layers of snow covered rural areas of the country.

The UAE's great storm of 1963

While there's no record of snow, November 22, 1963, has gone down in history for one of the most destructive storms ever to hit the UAE.

From Sharjah to Abu Dhabi, torrential rain and winds close to hurricane force devastated the region.

Flimsy palm-frond homes were ripped apart, boats sank at their moorings and wind-driven waves pushed deep inland.

The death toll was not recorded but must have been considerable.

Courtesy of Vic Cozens
Courtesy of Vic Cozens

The storm was especially damaging because Abu Dhabi had no port at the time. Instead, goods were unloaded from ships directly on to the beach. Unprotected, the sea swept them away.

But it was in Dubai where the storm hit hardest. Those homes not destroyed were left knee-deep in floodwater. At the new Dubai International Airport, some light aircraft and gliders were tossed around like toys.

UAE battered by extreme weather in 2020

People run for cover during the March 9, 2016 storm in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, when strong winds and driving rain caused chaos across the UAE. Christopher Pike / The National
People run for cover during the March 9, 2016 storm in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, when strong winds and driving rain caused chaos across the UAE. Christopher Pike / The National
City streets were inundated with water, such as here on 8th Street in Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National
City streets were inundated with water, such as here on 8th Street in Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National
While the rain and winds caused major damage they brought smiles of glee for some of the younger residents of Abu Dhabi. Delores Johnson / The National
While the rain and winds caused major damage they brought smiles of glee for some of the younger residents of Abu Dhabi. Delores Johnson / The National
The sky darkened from early on March 9, 2016. The view from Abu Dhabi's main bus station is of murky skies. Jonathan Raymond / The National
The sky darkened from early on March 9, 2016. The view from Abu Dhabi's main bus station is of murky skies. Jonathan Raymond / The National
However, storms have always been a feature of the weather here, such as this squall on Abu Dhabi's Corniche taken at some point between 1962 and 1964. Photo: David Riley
However, storms have always been a feature of the weather here, such as this squall on Abu Dhabi's Corniche taken at some point between 1962 and 1964. Photo: David Riley
Flooding is seen in Fujairah following heavy rainfall. Photo: Storm Centre UAE
Flooding is seen in Fujairah following heavy rainfall. Photo: Storm Centre UAE
Floodwater often inundated Abu Dhabi island during the 1960s as defences had yet to be built. Photo: David Riley
Floodwater often inundated Abu Dhabi island during the 1960s as defences had yet to be built. Photo: David Riley
A huge storm that swept through the region in 1963 left the Sharjah Airbase flooded, as this photograph shows. Photo: Vic Cozens
A huge storm that swept through the region in 1963 left the Sharjah Airbase flooded, as this photograph shows. Photo: Vic Cozens
Snow can also be common in the winter. Snowmen are often built, such as this one in Jebel Jais in January, 2020. Photo: Ahmed Al Bedwawi
Snow can also be common in the winter. Snowmen are often built, such as this one in Jebel Jais in January, 2020. Photo: Ahmed Al Bedwawi
Snow also fell on Jebel Jais mountain in Ras al Khaimah in January and December 2017. Photo: Mike Charlton
Snow also fell on Jebel Jais mountain in Ras al Khaimah in January and December 2017. Photo: Mike Charlton
Most of Jebel Jais was blanketed in a pristine layer of snow. Photo: Ahmed Al Bedwawi
Most of Jebel Jais was blanketed in a pristine layer of snow. Photo: Ahmed Al Bedwawi
Dense fog is also common in the mountains, as this 2015 shot from Jebel Jais shows. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
Dense fog is also common in the mountains, as this 2015 shot from Jebel Jais shows. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
Fog and mist cover the Burj Al Arab. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Fog and mist cover the Burj Al Arab. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Early morning fog in Discovery Gardens, Dubai in April, 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
Early morning fog in Discovery Gardens, Dubai in April, 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
Dense fog is common during winter, reducing visibility on the roads. Pawan Singh / The National
Dense fog is common during winter, reducing visibility on the roads. Pawan Singh / The National
Dubai Media City enveloped in fog. Pawan Singh / The National
Dubai Media City enveloped in fog. Pawan Singh / The National
Dust storms are also common, causing havoc on the roads such as this one from March, 2017 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Dust storms are also common, causing havoc on the roads such as this one from March, 2017 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
A lightening strike in Umm Al Quwain. Photo: Storm Centre UAE
A lightening strike in Umm Al Quwain. Photo: Storm Centre UAE
Another dust storm from 2018. Antonie Robertson / The National
Another dust storm from 2018. Antonie Robertson / The National
A dust storm passes by the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah, April, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A dust storm passes by the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah, April, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Rain storms can cause the most chaos, however, as the March 2016 one did. A construction barrier fell onto parked cars in Abu Dhabi. AFP
Rain storms can cause the most chaos, however, as the March 2016 one did. A construction barrier fell onto parked cars in Abu Dhabi. AFP
Trees were uprooted on 29th Street in Abu Dhabi during the same storm. Ravindranath K / The National
Trees were uprooted on 29th Street in Abu Dhabi during the same storm. Ravindranath K / The National

More than half a century on from the events of 1963, the UAE was hit by another barrage of damaging weather.

In January last year, about a year’s worth of rain fell on some parts of the country in the course of a weekend, forcing a number of schools to shut in Dubai and Abu Dhabi owing to damage as a result of the three-day deluge.

Nature's role in cold weather in the desert

The landscape of the Middle East – complete with rugged mountains and vast deserts – plays a significant part in turning down the heat.

Weather

Six chilly cities that will be warmer than parts of the UAE on Tuesday

Al Ain freezes over as temperatures sink to -5°

Desert conditions are usually scorching during the day, but temperatures drop drastically during the night because the air is so dry that heat rapidly escapes.

Another factor is sand, which does not retain heat, so when the sun sets there is no heat for the surface to absorb.

What goes up must come down, in temperature that is, when it comes to the mountainous terrain of the Middle East.

As air rises it expands and cools, making a mountain top a tough spot for those not wrapped up warm.

A version of this story was first published on January 12, 2021.

World Mental Health Day
The biogs

Name: Zinah Madi

Occupation: Co-founder of Dots and links

Nationality: Syrian

Family: Married, Mother of Tala, 18, Sharif, 14, Kareem, 2

Favourite Quote: “There is only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything.”

 

Name: Razan Nabulsi

Occupation: Co-founder of Dots and Links

Nationality: Jordanian

Family: Married, Mother of Yahya, 3.5

Favourite Quote: A Chinese proverb that says: “Be not afraid of moving slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

UAE currency
The%20specs%20
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Combating coronavirus
In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
England-South Africa Test series

1st Test England win by 211 runs at Lord's, London

2nd Test South Africa win by 340 runs at Trent Bridge, Nottingham

3rd Test July 27-31 at The Oval, London

4th Test August 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester

Profile of Whizkey

Date founded: 04 November 2017

Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani

Based: Dubai, UAE

Number of employees: 10

Sector: AI, software

Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million  

Funding stage: Series A

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Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
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Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

UAE Team Emirates

Valerio Conti (ITA)
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Fernando Gaviria (COL)
Sebastian Molano (COL)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Diego Ulissi (ITAS)

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Real Madrid (2) v Bayern Munich (1)
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
When: 10.45pm, Tuesday
Watch Live: beIN Sports HD

Mia Man’s tips for fermentation

- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut

- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.

- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.

- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.

 

The specs

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Power: Combined output 920hp

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While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
PRIMERA LIGA FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
Atletico Madrid v Sevilla (3pm) 
Alaves v Real Madrid (6.15pm) 
Malaga v Athletic Bilbao (8.30pm) 
Girona v Barcelona (10.45pm)

Sunday
Espanyol v Deportivo la Coruna (2pm) 
Getafe v Villarreal (6.15pm) 
Eibar v Celta Vigo (8.30pm)
Las Palmas v Leganes (8.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Valencia (10.45pm)

Monday
Real Betis v Levante (11.pm)

What are the main cyber security threats?

Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Sarfira

Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal 

Rating: 2/5

Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster

Family reunited

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.

She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.

She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.

The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.

She was held in her native country a year later.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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On Women's Day
BANGLADESH SQUAD

Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (vice captain), Mohammad Mithun, Sabbir Rahaman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

UAEEnvironment